What's in store for your NRL team in 2016?

The Provan-Summons trophy. (Photo by Getty Images)

The footy is back and 2016 is set to be the biggest season yet, with massive changes for the sport both on and off field.

Firstly, after years of discussion, the NRL finally went ahead and changed its interchange structure, operating under an eight-interchange-per-match rule to open up the game at the back end, allowing for the "smaller" players to impress.

The "bunker" has been introduced to give the game's officials all the tools and gadgetry to make accurate decisions in a shorter amount of time.

Finally, there will be NRL on television five nights a week across two networks (Nine and Fox Sports) this season, meaning there is more footy on our screens than ever before.

Yep, there's never been a more exciting time for rugby league than 2016 .... Here's what will happen.

THE CONTENDERS

Brisbane Broncos

Runners-up last season … Premiers this season? You would be brave to bet against the Broncos going one better than last year; after all, it's hard to think of an area of the Broncos’ game which requires any kind of improvement. With a world-class backline including off-season recruit James Roberts, who has pace to burn and a point to prove, experience in Darius Boyd and attacking prowess through Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford (combined with a powerful and mobile engine room, featuring internationals Sam Thaiday, Adam Blair and a fit-again Josh McGuire), the Provan-Summons trophy could be swapping Queensland cities.

Will the heart-break of 2015 spur Ben Hunt and the Broncos to glory in 2016? (Photo by Getty Images)

Melbourne Storm

Oh no, we’re not falling for that whole Storm's big three is getting older, so Melbourne is on its way down theory again. This band (Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater) of three 32-year-olds seems to come back bigger and better each year and with no end-of-season rep commitments, the trio has enjoyed its best break in years. The Storm will look to make their sixth-consecutive finals berth in 2016 and from there anything is possible.

North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys must defy over 20 years of history to go back-to-back for the first time since rivals the Broncos in 1992-93. However, one distinct advantage for the Cowboys is how they've managed to retain all 17 players from that epic 2015 decider. With superstar Johnathan Thurston leading the squad and young stars like Jake Granville and Michael Morgan now boasting grand final experience, a priceless commodity in today’s era of footy, there is no reason why the Cowboys can’t go back-to-back.

Will the Cowboys go back-to-back? (Photo by Getty Images)

THE BOLTERS

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Less than six months after a dismal Rugby World Cup campaign for England, "Slammin" Sam Burgess returns "home" to the burrow. His comeback, however, has caused some damage at Redfern with the Rabbitohs having to lose influential players Dylan Walker (Manly), Glenn Stewart (England), Issac Luke (Warriors) and Chris McQueen (Titans) just to fit Burgess in the salary cap. Time will tell what Big Sam’s return does to the chemistry of Michael Maguire’s side in 2016, but they will be in with a sniff come September.

"Slammin Sam" is back in the NRL. (Photo by Getty Images)

Cronulla Sharks

Last year the Sharks put a horrible 2014 behind them to surge into the finals, falling just a win short of a top four berth. Having snapped up premiership-winning five-eighth James Maloney during the off-season, the former Origin star is joining a side loaded with excitement machines and a robust ball-playing forward pack with every trick in the book. The Sharks will not just make the eight; there is no doubt they will challenge for premiership honours ... if they can stay injury and drama-free.

New Zealand Warriors

There is simply too much talent at the Warriors for them not to succeed. Just take a look at the names at coach Andrew McFadden’s disposal. Sure, British custodian Sam Tomkins and dynamic hooker Nathan Friend are no longer there, but look who is: Roosters purchase Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Bunnies recruit Issac Luke, Manu Vatuvei, Konrad Hurrll, Shaun Johnson, Jacob Lillyman, Ryan Hoffman, Simon Mannering and Thomas Leuluai. On paper, the Warriors are very solid and scoring points won’t be an issue ... leaking points down the other end will be the only roadblock in the way of securing their maiden NRL premiership.

Can a star-studded Warriors team finally delivery a premiership? (Photo by Getty Images)

Parramatta Eels

Sounds bleak, but what Parramatta need is a boring year. Where nothing happens apart from playing footy on the weekends, then training through the week. On and off-field drama caused an unstable dressing room that has seen the Eels miss out on six consecutive finals series, collecting two wooden spoons in the process. Despite the high-profile exit of Will Hopoate to the ‘Dogs, the Eels have managed to collect some big name recruits in Kieran Foran, Beau Scott, Michael Gordon and Michael Jennings, giving the Eels, on paper at least, every chance of reaching the finals.

THE HOPEFULS

Sydney Roosters

The comp’s number-one attacking (24.63 points scored each match) and defensive side (12.5 points conceded) has claimed the JJ Giltinan Shield for three seasons in a row. Conversely, 2016 might be dreary compared to past campaigns. The “Chooks” will be missing three of their biggest stars for the opening months of the season, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Boyd Cordner injured, and now-former skipper Mitchell Pearce suspended, leaving gaping holes in the Roosters' side. The loss of RTS to the Warriors leaves Blake Ferguson to fill the void at fullback. Once all are back on board fit and healthy, there is no doubt the Roosters are a dangerous side, but the loss of key players for the opening rounds of the season has the potential to derail their premiership aspirations.

The Roosters will be without Mitchell Pearce for the first eight weeks of the 2016 premiership. (Photo by Getty Images)

Penrith Panthers

With a pretty classy starting squad when everyone is fit, the Panthers will be hoping their injury issues of 2015 will be put behind them as they make a push at finals action. New coach Anthony Griffin needs to have better luck with the magic sponge than his predecessor Ivan Cleary and if he is able to, expect Penrith to battle for a spot in the eight.

St George Illawarra Dragons

Red V fans experienced both highs and lows last season, but ended the year happy as the Dragons made their first finals appearance since 2011. Paul McGregor has been at the club long enough to establish what he feels will be a team that will be hard to beat. With a very competitive squad and a solid defence, their attack will come into question.

Will this be Benji's last season in the NRL? (Photo by Getty Images)

Manly Sea Eagles

After last year's debacle, the legacy Des Hasler and Geoff Toovey has been demolished for a new project. New coach Trent Barrett will have his hands full in his first stint as a full-time coach as he aims to restore the pride at Brookvale. Major roster changes have seen premiership heroes leave, but new stars arrive. Chief playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders trying to steer this new-look side.

Can DCE bring success all on his own? (Photo by Getty Images)

Canberra Raiders

With a young and clinical squad, Rick Stuart will be working hard to make sure his team will be a part of finals footy for the first time since 2012. Experienced players departed over the offseason but the arrival of Aidan Sezer will only strengthen the halves as he readies to partner up with reigning Dally M Five-Eight Blake Austin. The Raiders were the third highest scoring team last season and an improved 2016 season could be the catalyst for a return to finals footy.

THE BATTLERS

Gold Coast Titans

With an off-season on par with Manly's, a major makeover also took place on the Gold Coast. A lot of senior players left such as Nate Myles, Aidan Sezer, Dave Taylor, James Roberts and Beau Falloon, but they've been replaced by the experienced group of David Shillington, Nathan Friend, Chris McQueen, Tyrone Roberts and Zeb Taia. The season didn't begin kindly for the Titans, with Kane Elgey suffering a season-ending knee injury. There is much-needed experience in the forward pack, but the backline is still very raw. With a lot of changes on paper, the Titans look like a tough team to beat on their day, but it'll be interesting to see how this team adapts in such a short amount of time.

Wests Tigers

The soap-opera saga with club legend Robbie Farah, the arrival of Matt Ballin and the departure of Martin Taupau plagued the off-season for Jason Taylor. With an already-very young side, the departures of Pat Richards and Keith Galloway have only taken experience away from the team, which means the pressure will be well and truly on skipper Aaron Woods and new signing Tim Grant. How Farah and Ballin will fit in the same team is a question every fan has been pondering over the off-season. There is a lot of promise in the ranks at the Tigers in James Tedesco, Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses, but it won't be enough for this upcoming season.

How will Robbie Farah and coach Jason Taylor get along this season? (Photo by Getty Images)

Newcastle Knights

Last year's wooden spoon led to the arrival of Nathan Brown, who has been coaching in England since 2009. A lot of leadership left the Hunter via the key departures of Kurt Gidley, Beau Scott and Chris Houston. There will be a lot of pressure on new signing Trent Hodkinson and Jarrod Mullen to turn the Knights back into a competitive side.